The Delhi government has unilaterally hiked 10-fold the compensation amount ordered to be paid to the family of 19-year-old Karan Pandey, who was killed in police firing in July last year.

In mid-July, the National Human Rights Commission had recommended to the Delhi government to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of Karan Pandey, who was killed in police firing on stunt bikers on Ashoka Road in Central Delhi on the intervening night of July 28-29, 2013.

Now, in a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi on October 9, a Delhi government Home Ministry functionary has said Lt-Governor Najib Jung has sanctioned payment of “monetary relief of Rs 50 lakh” to Pandey’s next of kin.

The letter also says the L-G has directed Bassi to take departmental action against the inspector involved in the incident.

The NHRC took strong note of the evidence, which pointed to “negligence and error of judgement” on the part of a Delhi Police inspector, who had opened fire at the rear tyre of the motorbike which resulted in the death of Pandey who was riding pillion (it was being driven by Puneet Sharma). The NHRC concluded that “there was unnecessary use of force — opening fire — which was disproportionate to the amount to threat to the PCR personnels’ life”.

It had also questioned the police claim that they fired only after the youths started pelting stones at the police party. The youths were allegedly part of a group of bikers who were performing stunts in the high-security area.

Awarding compensation of Rs 5 lakh to Pandey’s next of kin, the NHRC headed by former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan had asked the Chief Secretary to submit the action-taken report on the departmental proceedings initiated against the police officers, along with the proof of payment, within six weeks.

“I don’t think there has been any instance, at least in my memory, of a state government revising our recommendation by such a level on its own. Many states, in fact, refuse to accept our recommendation. This is a welcome step,” a senior NHRC functionary said.

Kin of constable shot by burglars to get Rs 1 crore in compensation

New Delhi: Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednesday announced a Rs 1-crore compensation to the next of kin of Constable Jagbir Singh, who was shot dead by burglars in Vijay Vihar, Outer Delhi, on Monday. “I pay tribute to the departed soul, who laid down his life while serving our nation. May his family bear the loss with strength and fortitude,” Jung said in a tribute on Wednesday. The decision comes a day after AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Jung demanding Rs 1-crore compensation for the constable’s next of kin, an initiative taken by the 49-day AAP government in Delhi. The Congress too had sought financial assistance for the family of the dead constable. Singh (42) was shot dead by a gang of five burglars when he and another constable tried to apprehend them. His colleague, Narendra (41), was injured in the incident. ENS

The Lt Gov is giving public money. While the amount is not contested, I hope the govt will act in a similar manner in all other cases too. The ex gratia payment should not be left to whims and fancies of individuals or on political expidiency of the acse.

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kjingar

Oct 16, 2014 at 8:19 am

Why 50L? It should be at par with other deaths. And who is going to pay that? Tax payer's money or police personnel responsible?

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Raxas

Oct 16, 2014 at 11:44 am

I think the funds are going to be contributed by the Police. Okay! This is India - be realistic. You Tax Payers are going to pay for the guy who got shot by the Police as well as what is being paid to the police. Rest in Peace. The Jawans on the Border who die pay their own insurance and what they are paid does not drain the exchequer. As it is the exchequer does not have the money to buy them bullet proof jackets, rifles or ammo.